ESPN2 MLS Commentary, my take

when describing TFC's goal, Smyth described Ronnie O'Brien as an irishman born in ireland

pretty staggering insight

 

The more I listen to Eric Wynalda the more I just want to turn the game off. He thinks he knows everything about soccer and what the players should do. If he knows so much then why isn't he coaching???

Also if nobody else caught this tonight, Eric was whining about what players should wear certin numbers. I think this is a DOBesqe.

Sweet Wynalda, thats just incredible.

 

Yah I think Wynaldas arrogance is perfect for in studio analysis like during the WC but as far as commentating I dont know. Whatever happened to Harkes? I thought he was great during the world cup.

 

I'm sure I'm not the only one who noticed, almost the entire first half in tonights game the commentary was very different. Almost all actual play by play, however in the second half it went back to what it's become every week.

 

ESPN2 totally killed chi/dallas game for me. First, the camera angle felt funky to me. They followed the ball too closely. They also kept moving around the camera taking too many closeups of the player and sidelines. And the commentary what more can i say, Wynalda is garbage.

 

I guess you have never heard of Boston Irish

( eg Keenedys) or NY Irish or any other claims from Americans who have never seen Ireland yet claim to be Irish. Smyth was trying to point out that O Brien was Irish and not as suggested that he was part of the UK. If you did not understand that I feel sorry for you.

 

I got home and turned on the game just in time for the riff on Toja and Tommy Smyth's hair. Boy, was that cute. Wouldn't be so annoying if the ball wasn't in play the entire time. That crap works fine during the two minute warning or whatnot, but please guys, can you at least pretend there's a soccer game going on?

Also really enjoyed that 30-second shot of Sala while the ball was in play. Boy, he's really a big, intense dude, even when doing nothing.

 

Every Thursday night I turn into a madman because of this. It is absolutely rediculous and it drives me nuts when they don't show the effing match. They don't understand that the match can be entertaining when somebody isn't taking a shot.

 

Yep. My wife thinks I'm nuts because I won't stop yelling at the ESPN broadcast crew. "They're not THAT bad." Oh they're bad alright...

 

having watched the Chi/Dal game, i do have to say that i'm more impressed with the commentary trio of Stone/Wynalda/Smyth than i am with the directing/producing/truck crew.

other than some annoying comments and the calling of Toja as "Roja", the commentators were acceptable for my ears.

but things like the main mid-field camera being too tight on the action, the director cutting to or staying with a camera far too long or far to short, and the excessive close-ups on Hopkins or Saracan or some other person not involved with the game, those are the things that make the ESPN2 broadcast difficult to enjoy.

 

I second this -- and it seems to be getting worse. I think ESPN is trying to develop "stars", and they want closer shots of the players to do this, but you can't see what is going on. As a result, I think their camera angles are the worst of any network now televising MLS.

Memo to ESPN -- pull the camera back and get it higher.

As for the commentary, I think it has gotten much worse with three men in the booth. It's a challenge in any sport, but especially so in soccer where there is less dead time to fill. I'm not sure it's any particular person, but one commentator would be better, IMO.

 

ESPN2 should take lesson from Monday night football. MNF tried three men including the comedian. It never worked out. Then they went back to basics with no non-sense [SIZE=-1]Madden and Michaels. [/SIZE]

 

i was wondering if someone was going to complain about the hair bit. i thought it was funny. and even if it was in the run of play, it was in a slow run of play, and if anything had happened they would have shown us in a replay.

take that panty bunch out of your crack and relax people. it's a ********ing game.

 

I actually thought last night's was the best announcing job of the season so far. Kudos to Rob, Tommy and Waldo. Yeah, one can nitpick about this or that or the other thing, but these guys (unlike the disinterested Dave O'Brien) are soccer people and they are on our side. They deserve some support and I think constructive criticism is more helpful than the constant, mean spirited ripping and insults that one sees on these boards. These guys are human too and a well stated suggestion and compliment can do more than all the name calling.

Smyth is active and actually doing analysis again. Stoner is fine and knows what he's talking about. He's also likeable. Yes, Waldo could express himself better, but his flaws and ommissions are complemented by Smyth (to a point) and the banter and kidding between them is engaging.

Give these guys a chance. We are getting to the point on Big Soccer where nothing is any good for posters. We keep reading how Max Bretos, Seamus Malin, Wynalda, Smyth, Stone, Phil Schoen, Ray Hudson, their cousins, their gardeners and their pet kittens all "suck". The only person who escapes the insults is the estimable Derek Rae. Many of these guys aren't quite that bad and we need to be more realistic.

Okay, I'll plop down off my soapbox now......

 

Make room on the soapbox for me.
I'm totally with you.

Rob is so much better than O'Brien that I thought last night's game was amazingly easier to watch. I didn't have to turn off the sound.

People who are complaining are just looking for something to complain about.

 

Rob Stone is 100X better than DOBber!

I don't care that he may not be the classic, great voice, PBP guy that DOBber is. To me, Stoner brings passion for the game and for MLS! DOBber just doesn't have this. DOBber is boring to listen to. Stoner makes games exciting to listen to.

That's my $.02.

 

After the Shitcago goal....

Stoner: "GAME ON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

DOB: "Blah blah blah, ohh look, chicago scored, blah blah blah"